Page 35 of Sinful Little Lies

“I’d like to say I had no other choice but that’d be a lie. I never knew what I was going to do with my life. I didn’t have goals or ambitions. I liked to party. I liked to get high. I liked to fuck. The only other thing I was good at was intimidating people. I’m big as fuck. One look at me and both men and women are quivering in their boots, V. The society made my life simple. It gave me purpose and the opportunity to explore doing something I was actually good at. Books and tests weren’t for me.” He shrugs.

“How are you enrolled into the university then? Do you not go to classes? What do you major in? How has no one said anything to you about it before?” I spit out, not getting the answers fast enough.

He repeats the process of grinding another chunk of Leo’s body before responding to me.

“The university doesn’t question me for two reasons. Emmett’s father and mine. I’m the son of the chief of police, there’s a lot I can get away with scot-free and I do, but I promise I’m not a spoiled asshole. But if I do get caught up with the law one day, I’ll have automatic immunity because of the connections I hold and the men I work for. When I graduate I’ll have a liberal arts degree in communications. With that, I’dhave the qualifications to be the university’s human resource specialist.”

Grimm has not hesitated after a single question. Is he just a really good liar?

Well there’s another option, Negative Nancy. Maybe Grimm is telling the truth.

In my silence, he’s moved on to grind up a few more chunks of Leo’s body. The first plastic bag fills quickly and when it does, he ties it up and tosses it against the wall, then hands me another one.

As I fluff out the bag, I continue my inquisition. “So, what would you do as the school’s human resource specialist?”

Grimm halts in his movements and looks at me. His body relaxes as he breaks out into a laugh, “Fuck if I know, V!” He’s practically doubled over, his eyes crinkling above his face mask. Gaining his composure back, he continues, “I’d continue my work in the Brotherhood. The job will be filled with a stand-in, but if it’s easier and less expensive to forge paperwork, that’s another option. Usually, the men of the society are majoring in fields that will lead them to more specific paths. Things like finance, marketing, technology, and so on. I told you, I never had goals. I never knew what I wanted to do with my life. I just wanted to be a part of something that I was good at and enjoyed. Since our dads have known each other forever and Emmett and I are practically brothers, he worked something out for me. I can’t do much but be thankful for the opportunity.”

Soon the second bag fills up and we fall into the routine of sealing the bag. Tie, toss, new bag, fluff.

I’m processing everything Grimm shared with me, but he wasn’t done there. “But I’m not always killing people. Like I said, my size is intimidating. Sometimes that’s all it takes. Plus, most assignments are done in groups so I’m always with one of the guys. Emmett is usually my partner in crime but he’s been prettyoccupied with Blair lately so I’ve been cozying up with Eli.” He smirks.

Nodding my head, I start to put all of the pieces together. They sit nicely and begin to make sense, the connections forming a web in my brain. A thought settles in my mind and the lead feeling in my stomach dissipates. I really am in the clear.

We finish filling up the last bag and secure it with a double knot. “I’ll have someone take care of those. You don’t have to think about this asshole ever again, V. He’s gone. For good. You’re free.”

Free.I thought “free” was impossible. I thought the only way to be “free” was to be dead. If Grimm hadn’t stepped in when he did, my death would have been the one covered up.

But no, that’s not the case.

I’m free.

22

VERENA

Grimm dropsme off at my place and I slip inside my window. I opted out of using the front door for two reasons: everyone would hear my arrival and therefore wake up at the thought of a burglar or something, and I’d be recorded on the security cameras strategically placed at the front of the house, in the bushes. I don’t want them to even know I was here tonight. In the morning, I’ll wait for everyone to leave and then shower. I knew I made the right decision picking Wednesdays as my “study day.” Everyone leaves for 8AM classes and I’ll be left all by my lonesome.

The sun shiningthrough my curtains awakens me the next morning. I yawn and pat my bed in search of my phone. It’s nine in the morning, which means everyone has left for class. I race into the bathroom to wash off the grime from my skin and hair. Once I’m clean and dressed, I throw my sheets in the washfor good measure. After they’re dried and back on my bed, I lay down already needing a nap. The adrenaline rush has bounced up and down, first with the actual murder and then again grinding up his body.

I’m coming down now and feeling exhausted. I curl into the still-warm sheets but my phone buzzes with incoming messages.

Grimm

Hey little monster, what’re you doing?

A faint smile falls on my lips as I text him back.

Me

Laying down. Tired out from the last couple of days, WBU?

Grimm

That’s so funny. I’m laying down too. Except I’m naked and thinking of you.

Me

How do you find the energy?

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